null
How to Find Public Records in Val Verde County in 2026
ValVerdeRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Val Verde County, Texas. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find data pertaining to property ownership, court filings, vital statistics, tax assessments, and other government-generated records through this resource. Record availability and completeness depend on the originating agency and the nature of the request.
Relevant record categories accessible through official channels include:
- Property deeds and land records
- Civil and criminal court filings
- Marriage and divorce records
- Probate and estate documents
- Tax assessment and payment records
- Voter registration and election records
- Business licenses and permits
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted by law)
Records in Val Verde County may be searched through official court resources, the County Clerk's office, public access terminals located at government facilities, and online portals maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The Val Verde County official website provides access to select public records through its online portal. Property records and tax information are searchable through the Val Verde County Appraisal District. Court records may be accessed through the Texas Judicial Branch case search tool. Some records require user registration or payment of applicable fees prior to retrieval.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Val Verde County Clerk's Office to inspect and request copies of official records. The office is located at 400 Pecan Street, Del Rio, TX 78840. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and complete a written request form available at the public counter.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Val Verde County Clerk's Office at 400 Pecan Street, Del Rio, TX 78840. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under the Texas Public Information Act, agencies are required to respond promptly, with a standard response period of ten business days.
Phone/Email: The Val Verde County Clerk's Office may be reached by telephone at (830) 774-7503. Email inquiries may be directed through the contact portal available on the county's official website.
What Are Public Records in Val Verde County?
Public records in Val Verde County are defined under Texas Government Code § 552.002 as any information collected, assembled, or maintained by or for a governmental body in connection with the transaction of official business. The following record types are currently maintained by county agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | District Clerk, County Clerk |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | County Clerk |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | County Clerk, Texas DSHS |
| Divorce records | District Clerk |
| Business licenses and permits | County Clerk, City of Del Rio |
| Property tax and assessment records | Val Verde County Appraisal District |
| Voter registration and election records | County Voter Registrar |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Judge's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | County Auditor |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Val Verde County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | County Planning Department |
The Val Verde County Clerk's office serves as the primary custodian for property, vital, and probate records. Court filings are maintained separately by the District Clerk's Office.
Is Val Verde County an Open Records County?
Val Verde County operates in full compliance with the Texas Public Information Act, which governs public access to government records statewide. Under Texas Government Code § 552.021, "each person is entitled, unless otherwise expressly provided by law, at all times to complete information about the affairs of government and the official acts of public officials and employees." This provision establishes a broad right of access for all members of the public, regardless of residency or stated purpose.
The Texas Attorney General's Office oversees compliance with the Act and issues open records rulings when agencies dispute the releasability of requested information. As stated by the Texas Attorney General's Open Government Division, "the Public Information Act gives you the right to access government records; and an officer for public information and the officer's agent may not ask why you want them."
Val Verde County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance; the Texas Public Information Act serves as the governing authority for all public information requests submitted to county agencies.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Val Verde County?
The current fee structure for public records in Val Verde County is governed by the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission's cost rules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (standard size) | $0.10 per page |
| Oversized paper copies | Actual cost |
| Electronic records (email/CD) | Actual cost of media |
| Certification of records | $5.00 per document |
| Labor charge (requests over 50 pages) | Applicable hourly rate |
| Overhead charge | 20% of labor costs |
- Inspection of records at a public counter is available at no charge.
- Copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) carry separate statutory fees set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, at present $22.00 per certified copy.
- Accepted payment methods at the County Clerk's Office include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card.
- Fee waivers may be granted at the discretion of the records custodian when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest and the requestor is a representative of the news media or a nonprofit organization.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission publishes the complete schedule of allowable charges for public information requests submitted to state and local government bodies.
Does Val Verde County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public at the Val Verde County Clerk's Office and the District Clerk's Office during regular business hours. Under state law, governmental bodies may not charge a fee solely for inspecting records; fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Val Verde County records online:
- The Val Verde County Appraisal District offers free online search of property ownership, assessed values, and tax account information.
- The Texas Judicial Branch case search provides free access to select court case information.
- Voter registration records and election results are available at no cost through the Texas Secretary of State Elections Division.
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents posted to the county's official website are accessible without charge.
Free inspection differs from free copies; physical or electronic copies of records are subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Val Verde County?
Any person may request public records from Val Verde County agencies under the Texas Public Information Act. Requestors are not required to be Texas residents, to provide identification for most requests, or to state the purpose for which the records are sought. This open-access standard applies to individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, members of the media, and non-residents alike.
Certain record types carry additional access requirements:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Certified copies are restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or parties with a documented legal interest. Proof of identity and relationship is required.
- Criminal history records: Detailed criminal history information maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety is subject to access restrictions under state law; requestors may obtain their own records through the Texas DPS Criminal History portal.
- Juvenile records: Access is restricted by statute and requires a court order in most circumstances.
Requestors seeking their own records are subject to the same fee schedule as third-party requestors, with the exception of certain vital records for which the subject may qualify for reduced fees under specific circumstances.
What Records Are Confidential in Val Verde County?
Certain categories of government records are exempt from public disclosure under Texas law. Texas Government Code § 552.101 through § 552.352 enumerates specific exemptions applicable to state and local agencies, including Val Verde County. The following record types are currently withheld from public release:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential by statute.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Information compiled during active law enforcement investigations is exempt to the extent that release would interfere with the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and home addresses of private individuals are protected from disclosure.
- Medical records: Health information is protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are sealed under Texas Family Code provisions.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services are confidential.
- Personnel records: Employee performance evaluations and certain personnel file contents are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Commercially sensitive information submitted to government agencies in confidence is protected.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Information that could compromise public safety or government facility security is withheld.
When an agency believes a requested record falls under an exemption, it must seek a ruling from the Texas Attorney General's Office within ten business days of receiving the request, as required by the Public Information Act.
Val Verde County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Val Verde County Clerk's Office
400 Pecan Street
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 774-7503
Val Verde County Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on federal and state holidays
Val Verde County District Clerk's Office
400 Pecan Street, Suite 201
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 422-5291
Val Verde County District Clerk
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Val Verde County Appraisal District
317 Mills Street
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 775-1391
Val Verde County Appraisal District
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Val Verde County Sheriff's Office
1900 Veterans Boulevard
Del Rio, TX 78840
(830) 774-7513
Val Verde County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Records Division)